Modular automation device

ABSTRACT

An automation device comprising a modular assembly associated with a hardware element. This assembly includes in the primary group of modules a bus coupler  20 , a feeder unit  21  to distribute feeder power at voltages U in , U out  for the automated units, functional modules  22  and a terminating module  30.    
     The primary group MA has a first link SB that carries control signals and, at a minimum, power at the right voltage for the modules; and a second link PB that carries power at the feeder voltages U in , U out . A secondary group of modules MB has a lead module  24 , and the SB and PB links extending those of the primary group. To extend the SB link, a linking cable C is connected to the terminating module  30  of the primary group, and to the lead module ( 24 ) of the secondary group. The lead module has the means  24   a  to carry command-control signals to (or from) and power for the modules to the first link of the second group.

SUMMARY

[0001] This invention concerns a modular automation device associated with a hardware element comprising several automated units. Such a device consists of a primary group of modules located on a common frame, including a control unit, such as a bus coupler; a feeder unit capable of supplying at minimum the electrical power supply for the automated units of the hardware element; and several functional input and/or output modules to which the automated units are attached.

[0002] The bus coupler is used to carry command/control signals between an external bus, in particular a field bus, and a command and/or surveillance system such a programmable robot. The automation device, on the other hand, supplies low-voltage power to the electronic circuits of the various modules, typically at 5V or 24V DC. It must also at minimum supply electrical power for the automated application units, such as sensors and actuators. Voltages, described henceforth as “application voltages”, are typically 24V or 48V DC (direct current) or 110V or 250V AC (alternating current). The functional input-output modules transmit signals and application voltages to the sensors and actuators.

[0003] These modules are connected by a “signal link”, to carry control signals and, at minimum, power to operate the modules, and a “feeder link”, carrying power at the application voltages, required to operate the application units. These links comprise internal buses located either on the floor of the unit or on a base plate; or connected laterally, using individual adaptors.

[0004] Such devices are well known, in particular from documents EP 661 915, EP 677 986 and EP 1 022 809. Their modular layout allows their functionality to be extended easily by adding modules. Sometimes, however, for an automated installation or for a machine, it can prove necessary to identify a number of zones, differentiated for example by their function or their relative spacing, by allocating a group of primary modules to a primary zone and at least one secondary group of modules to a secondary zone. However, ever, this means providing a bus coupler for each secondary group, which is expensive.

[0005] The particular purpose of the invention is to adapt an automation device of the type described, so as to avoid the need for a bus coupler for a secondary group of modules linked to a primary group.

[0006] The invention considers a device with at least one secondary group of modules in the hardware element's secondary zone. The group has both a lead module, and first and second links extending those of the primary group,

[0007] a linking cable, associated with the first link and capable of carrying control-command signals and power at the right voltage for the modules, is connected to the terminating module in the primary group and to the lead module in the secondary group. This secondary-group lead module is constructed to carry shielded control-command signals to or from the secondary group(s) and to transmit power to modules in the secondary group.

[0008] The primary group of modules ideally includes at least one feeder unit to power the electronic circuits of modules further down, by acting as a voltage converter capable of providing a low-voltage supply at its nominal level on the first link from a high-voltage supply from the same connection. The lead module for the secondary group may have similar means to convert voltages.

[0009] A feeder unit, connected to an external voltage source and capable at minimum of providing the electrical power supply for the automated units, may also be used adjacent to the secondary group's lead module.

[0010] By using at least one separate feeder conductor in the linking cable, the terminating module in the primary group can be used to apply voltages for the second bus link to the automated units not handled by the first bus link. To achieve this, the terminating module can be used both as a terminal block for connecting conductors to feed the application units and, using a movable flap, to separate the linking cable from the power supply conductors.

[0011] One possible way of using the invention is described below, referenced to the attached drawings.

[0012]FIG. 1 shows a diagram of the front view of the type of automation device that uses the invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 shows detail of the signal link between the modules of the device.

[0014]FIG. 3 shows detail of the voltage conversion for the signal link.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an input-output module for the device.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a perspective rear view of the terminal block for the device's terminating module.

[0017]FIG. 6 shows a detail of this module.

[0018]FIG. 7 is an expanded perspective view of the terminal block in FIG. 5.

[0019]FIG. 8 shows detail of the connection for the linking cable.

[0020] The device illustrated in the figures comprises a primary group 10A of electronic modules intended to fit together. They are clipped into individual fittings 11 (see FIG. 2), which themselves are fixed side-by-side to a frame in any usual way, for example using a standard mounting rail 12. The group of modules 10A is associated with zone MA of a hardware element, for example, a machine or part of a machine, and regulates the data flow to or from the hardware element. In addition, the power supply for the automated units—sensors 13 or actuators 14—passes via the group of modules 10A associated with the MA zone.

[0021] For this to work, the group of modules includes a link SB to carry signals and power to supply the module circuits, and a link PB to carry power to the automated units at the voltages the hardware element requires. The adaptors 11 are interconnected sideways by the co-operating contacts SBC and PBC in such a way that the continuity of the links is ensured. The links SB, PB are sited at different heights, but at the same depth (see FIG. 4).

[0022] The group 10A includes firstly a control unit, here a coupler 20 to which is attached an external field bus B—for example, a CANOpen, DeviceNet, Ethernet, Fipl/O, Modbus, Profibus or other—linked to a programmable robot or other control/command unit. Alternatively, the control unit may be a CPU.

[0023] The group 10A also includes at minimum a feeder module 21 capable of supplying sensors 13 and actuators 14 with the feeder voltages they require from the external voltages U_(in) and/or U_(out), as well as input/output modules 22 of various sizes connected to units 13,14 and a terminating module 30. The modules 22 have printed circuits and appropriate connectors and module 23 is provided to guarantee the feeder voltage levels for these electronic circuits. Should an excessive voltage drop occur for one of the voltages in the SB link, this module returns the voltage to its nominal level from the highest voltage in the link SB.

[0024]FIG. 2 shows an example of the composition of the low-voltage SB link: a “high” voltage line V1 (24V), a OV line, a “low” voltage line V2 (5V), and signal lines depending on the type of bus used. Here, the internal bus type is CAN, so there are CANH and CANL lines, and an addressing line ADDR. The coupler 20 includes 20 a, for interfacing and linking. This couples the lines in the SB link to those in the bus B.

[0025] The power feeder unit 21 includes the means 21 a to connect and convert external voltage sources U_(in) (sensor voltage), U_(out) (actuator voltage) to the voltages expected on the PB link: for example, 24 or 48V DC for sensors and 24V DC, 48V DC, 110 V AC or 250V AC for actuators. The available voltages U_(in), U_(out) are safety voltages or not safety voltages, depending on the particular hardware element. The feeder unit 21 ensures the group of modules is earthed.

[0026] The voltage V1 is less affected by the length of the transmission path than the voltage V2. It is therefore better to use the voltage V1 (24V) to produce the voltage V2 (5V). Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, module 23 has a conversion circuit 23 a that converts the voltage 24V DC to a voltage of 5V DC to ensure that the modules 22 sited down from module 23 will be suitably supplied with 5V.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, an input/output module 22 comprises a casing 22 a clipped detachably to a set of adaptors 11. A terminal block 22 b with an external connection to the automated units 13, 14 for surveillance or issuing commands can be fitted in front of the casing 22 a. The connections 22 c are provided at the front of the casing to take the corresponding connections in the terminal block 22 b. The individual connectors or contacts 22 d, 22 e are at the back of the casing for slotting into the corresponding contacts to connect respectively to the low-voltage SB link and the power link PB. It is useful to note that each module 22 can be removed from the group while operational without affecting either the buses' continuity, or the operation of the modules further down (a “hot swap” ).

[0028] FIGS. 5 to 7 show in more detail, viewed from behind, a terminal block 31 belonging to a terminating module 30, the term “terminating” meaning situated at the far end (away from the coupler) of the primary group. The terminating module 30 is used to pass signals, and ideally the highest voltage in the SB link, to the lead module 24 of a secondary group of modules (or a group further away) 10B, so this group does not need to include a new coupler 20. The group is associated with another zone MB of the hardware element, or a hardware sub-element, and such a group 10B is represented in FIG. 1. It includes in turn, apart from the lead module 24, a power feeder module 21, input and/or output modules 22 and a terminating module 40 that ensures the proper termination of the bus lines, for example by a resistive loop. As for the modules in the group 10A, those 24,21,22 and 40 of the group 10B are mounted on adaptors 11 that ensure the continuity of the links SB and PB. In the absence of a secondary group 10B, a module 40 of the type shown for the group 10B is mounted at the far end of the primary group 10A.

[0029] The connecting link SB between the groups 10A and 10B uses a cable C shielded from interference. One end of the cable C is connected to the SB link of the group 10A in the terminating module 30 (connector 41 shown in FIG. 1) and the other end to the SB link belonging to the group 10B in its lead module 24. Cable C is, for example of type IEEE 1394 and, as can be seen in FIG. 7, has a strand C1 at the highest voltage V1 for the SB link, a strand C2 for return voltage 0V, and two independent shielded twisted pairs C3, C4 to carry the bus signals. The lead module 24 includes the means 24 a, analogous to 23 a in module 23, to convert the “high” voltage V1 (24V), carried by the cable C, to “low” voltage V2 (5V). This means that the SB link in the group 10B has a guaranteed supply of “low” voltage V2.

[0030] The terminating module 30 is also used to supply, via the voltages in the PB link, the automated units 15, sensors or actuators, not handled by the SB link. A terminal block 31 with terminals 32 connects the conductors 33 to the units 15. The terminals 32 are themselves linked by the comb of internal conductors 34 mounted on a support 35 to the connecting pins 36 which work with a connector (not shown) on the printed circuit of module 30. The terminal block has a pivotal mounting on the casing of module 30 and its lower part is divided by a pivoting flap 37 which separates an upper conduit 38 (lower in FIGS. 5 to 7) from a lower housing 39 (upper in FIGS. 5 to 7).

[0031] In the open position (FIG. 6), the flap 37 allows the conductors 33 connected to the terminals 32 to run through the conduit 38. When it is re-closed (FIGS. 5 and 7), the flap 37 leaves a substantial space for the cable C to pass. It is worth noting that cable C occupies a fairly large space, because of the way it is made, and because of its shielding against interference. The housing shown for the terminating module, with the compartments at the lower end of terminal block 31, means that it is easy to provide a signal link with connector 41 sited at the top of the module, and a power link with the terminals 32 sited at the lower end of the module.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 8, connector 41 for the linking cable C has a female part 42 moulded 42 a to receive the shape 30 a provided in a connecting channel 30 b in the terminating module 30. In this way, the female part 42 of the connecter can connect to the male part 43 of the connector soldered to an electronic circuit board 44, without the risk of damage to the soldering from vibration between the connector 41 and module 30. Guiders 30 c for the female part 42 are also provided in the channel 30 b. 

1. Automation device comprising a modular assembly to be used with a hardware element and including a primary group (10A) of modules located on a common frame associated with a primary zone of the hardware element. The primary group includes a control unit (20) capable of carrying the command-control signals, a feeder unit (21) capable of distributing feeder power (U_(in), U_(out)) for the automated units at a minimum, a number of functional modules (22), with, between the modules, a first link (SB) to carry control signals and, at a minimum, feeder power for the modules, and a second link (PB) to carry the feeder power for the automated units, and a terminating module (30), characterized by the fact that: the device includes at least one secondary group of modules (10B) in the hardware element's secondary zone with both a lead module (24), and first and second links (SB, PB) extending those of the primary group (10A), a linking cable (C) associated with the first connection (SB) and constructed to carry shielded control-command signals and power at a feeder voltage (V1) for the modules. The cable is connected to the terminating module (30) of the primary group and the lead module (24) of the secondary group (10 b).
 2. The device in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the primary group of modules (10A) includes at least one feeder unit (23) to power the electronic circuits of the modules lower down. This module can act as a voltage transformer (23 a) capable of providing a low-voltage power supply at its nominal level (V2) on the first link (SB) from a high-voltage supply (V1) from the same link.
 3. The device in claims 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the lead module (24) of the secondary group (10B) has the means (24 a) to act as a voltage transformer capable of providing a low-voltage power supply at its nominal level (V2) on the first link (SB) from a high-voltage supply (V1) from the same link.
 4. The device in claim 1, characterized by the fact that a feeder module (21) connected to an external electrical power source and capable of distributing power at minimum at feeder voltages (U_(in), U_(out)) for the automated units is provided adjacent to the lead module (24) of the secondary group (10B).
 5. The device in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the terminating module terminal (30) of the primary group (10A) uses a feeder conductor (33) distinct from the cable (C), to apply the second bus link (PB) voltages to the automated units (15) not handled by the first bus link (SB).
 6. The device in claim 5, characterized by the fact that the terminating module (30) of the primary group (10A) has a terminal block (31), with terminals (32) for conductors (33) to feed the automated units, and partitioned to separate the linking cable (C) from the conductors (33).
 7. The device in claim 6, characterized by the fact that the terminal block (31) is partitioned by means of a movable flap (36) that provides both a space for the linking cable (C) to pass and also space for the feeder conductors (33).
 8. The device in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the linking cable (C) is connected to the terminating module (30) by a connector (41) that has both a female part (42) and a male part (43) soldered to a printed circuit board (44). The module has a connecting channel (30 b) for the female part, the female part and the channel being specially shaped (42 a, 30 a) to avoid the transmission of connector vibration to the printed circuit. 